NOCHNOY DOZOR (NIGHT WATCH)
Konstantin Khabenskiy, Vladimir Menshov, Mariya Poroshina, and Galina Tjunina. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The film broke all box-office records in Russia. In the International version of the film Yegor (Dimitriy Martynoy) is seen watching BTVS (Buffy vs. Dracula).
This clip is included first for the clip from Buffy that was used in the
international version of the film, and second because the film gives one a bit of insight into what it might
be like to live in Moscow (lots of high tech surrounded by crumbling buildings). It is a well-made film; a bit
gory even for a vampire flick; but the story is kind of funny. It seems that Russia (at least this particular
filmmaker) perceives Heaven and Hell, Good and Evil, as being administered by a giant bureaucracy. And solutions
to problems are quite simplistic. For instance, to remove a curse, all that is needed is for the person who did the
cursing to take it back. Verbally. No pesky rituals or incantations required.
Director Timur Bekmambetov is currently working on ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, which is scheduled for release in June of 2012. The notion is that Mr. Lincoln's mother was killed by a vampire inspiring in him a vengeful quest to destroy vampires and their slave-owning minions. His sequel to WANTED is due out in 2011, but Angelina Jolie declined to participate in the sequel.